Difference between revisions of "Thought Contagion (song)"

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{{Songbox |
{{Songbox |
| Name = Thought Contagion
| Name = Thought Contagion
| Album =
| Album = [[Simulation Theory (album) | Simulation Theory]] <small>(7)</small>, [[Thought Contagion (single) | Thought Contagion]] <small>(1)</small>
{{drop
| Length = 3:26
|[[Thought Contagion (single)]]
|[[Eighth Album | Upcoming 8th and next album]]
}}
| Length = 3:40<ref>https://streamable.com/vd7e5</ref>
| AltTitles = Fury II
| AltTitles = Fury II
| First =  
| First = [[Tokyo Yokohama Arena 2017 - 13th (gig)|13{{supo|th}} November 2017]] <small>(bass riff)</small>, [[Paris Cigale 2018 (gig)|24{{supo|th}} February 2018]] <small>(full)</small>
| Latest =  
| Latest = [[Lima Hipódromo de Monterrico 2019 (gig)|15{{supo|th}} October 2019]]
| Recorded = 2017
| Recorded = November 2017
| Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]]
| Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]]
| Producer =  Muse, [[Rich Costey]]<ref>https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939966299509202944</ref>
| Producer =  Muse, [[Rich Costey]]<ref>https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939966299509202944</ref>
| Chart position =  
| Chart position =  
}}
}}
{{AlbumNav
| Previous = [[Something Human (song)|Something Human]]
| Current = Thought Contagion
| Next = [[Get Up and Fight (song)|Get Up and Fight]]
}}
<br>
{{AlbumNav2
| Previous = [[Drones (album) | Drones ''(2015)'']]
| Current = [[Simulation Theory (album) | Simulation Theory ''(2018)'']]
}}
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ_3S-IQm38 Listen]'''


== Description ==
== Description ==
"Thought Contagion" is a single, released on 15th February 2018. Song starts with sounds of thunder, similar to [[The Globalist (song) |The Globalist]], before heavy bass guitar leads into a main halloween-style riff and loud, thumping percussion. The lyrics are very anti-religion, similar to [[Fury (song) |Fury]] (Hence Matt giving it the name Fury II<ref name=MattTwitterFuryII2017">
"Thought Contagion" is a single, released on 15th February 2018.  
 
In an interview with Matt Wilkinson on Beats 1 Radio, Bellamy mentioned the idea behind the meaning came from a book by Richard Dawkins which suggested that thoughts are contagious and spread like a virus, or like genes.<ref name="Rolling Stone -Interview">
{{cite |
{{cite |
  title=Matt on Twitter| desc=Tweet| date=2017 | auth=Matthew Bellamy| url=https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939965135573073920) | dom=FURYII | fetch=2018-02-15 | type=ext  
  title=VIRTUAL REALITY Muse frontman Matt Bellamy on finding the good side of technology via virtual reality — as he admits band ‘partied a**es off’ after second album
}}</ref>). The solo contains elements similar to Fury too, including use of the [[Digitech Whammy]].
| desc=Interview| date=2018 | auth=Jacqui Swift | url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/7694754/muse-matt-bellamy-simulation-theory/| dom=The Sun | fetch=2018-11-12 | type=ext
}}</ref>
 
The song was inspired while watching American news stations in which some 'belief systems, whether they are true or false, are getting a lot of air time'. The song also deals with anxieties and feelings<ref name="Rolling Stone -Interview">
{{cite |
title=Matt Bellamy on Muse’s Rousing, Political New Song ‘Thought Contagion’ | desc=Interview| date=2018 | auth=Andy Greene | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/matt-bellamy-on-muses-rousing-political-new-song-thought-contagion-206025/| dom=Rolling Stone | fetch=2018-07-23 | type=ext  
}}</ref>, the part of 'You’ve been bitten by a true believer' is about someone who believes things that are not true will sometimes have more power than you as Matt said: 'I think that’s really what the song is about. It’s about how other people’s false belief systems can infect your own and sometimes even affect your feelings.'<ref name="Rolling Stone -Interview">
{{cite |
title=Matt Bellamy on Muse’s Rousing, Political New Song ‘Thought Contagion’ | desc=Interview| date=2018 | auth=Andy Greene | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/matt-bellamy-on-muses-rousing-political-new-song-thought-contagion-206025/| dom=Rolling Stone | fetch=2018-07-23 | type=ext
}}</ref>
 
Matt wrote the song towards the end of 2017, he came up with the bass line and used a theremin to create the lead melody, but is was until November 2017 when they started to record it when he thought that theremin melody would be a cool, anthemic sort of vocal part, Chris and Matt did about ten passes to create this sort of crowd effect on the vocal. The verse of the song, originally was more heavy-sounding than it is now, but they wanted to experiment with programming the verse and go for more of a slightly trap or 808 drum feel for the verses, which took the song in a bit of a different journey.<ref name="Rolling Stone -Interview">
{{cite |
title=Matt Bellamy on Muse’s Rousing, Political New Song ‘Thought Contagion’ | desc=Interview| date=2018 | auth=Andy Greene | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/matt-bellamy-on-muses-rousing-political-new-song-thought-contagion-206025/| dom=Rolling Stone | fetch=2018-07-23 | type=ext
}}</ref>


== Additional information ==
== Additional information ==
The leaked version of the song started with sounds of thunder, similar to [[The Globalist (song) |The Globalist]].
During an interview with KROQ DJ Stryker at the 2017 Almost Acoustic Christmas show, Matthew Bellamy was asked about plans for 2018. He revealed that Muse is currently mixing new track<ref>http://kroq.radio.com/2017/12/09/muse-tease-rocking-and-heavy-new-song-fourth-contagion/</ref>.
During an interview with KROQ DJ Stryker at the 2017 Almost Acoustic Christmas show, Matthew Bellamy was asked about plans for 2018. He revealed that Muse is currently mixing new track<ref>http://kroq.radio.com/2017/12/09/muse-tease-rocking-and-heavy-new-song-fourth-contagion/</ref>.
On Twitter, Matt was asked about release date. He expects to make video on January, then release it along with new song on early February<ref>https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939965867491672065</ref>. He also described it as Fury II<ref>https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939965135573073920</ref>.
On Twitter, Matt was asked about release date. He expects to make video on January, then release it along with new song on early February<ref>https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939965867491672065</ref>. He also described it as Fury II<ref>https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939965135573073920</ref>.
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On February 15, 2018, the song was leaked earlier than intended on a YouTube live-stream <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Muse/comments/7xmbf3/thought_contagion_streaming_now/</ref>
On February 15, 2018, the song was leaked earlier than intended on a YouTube live-stream <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Muse/comments/7xmbf3/thought_contagion_streaming_now/</ref>
== Composition ==
Written in A minor, the song starts with a heavily chromatic bassline, followed by a Halloween-esque riff and loud, thumping percussion. The verse is backed by clap drums and an almost-rapped Bellamy vocal, before the chorus presents a call-and-response hook, with Fall Out Boy-style "whoa-oh's" answered by a quiet falsetto.
Musically, the chord progression is similar to [[In Your World (song)|In Your World]], but the song is also compared to [[Fury (song)|Fury]] with its [[Digitech Whammy]] guitar solo and anti-religious lyrics. It makes reference to the "Final Solution," which was Nazi Germany's name for the planned extermination of Jews during World War II.
== Music Video ==
[[Thought Contagion (video)|Click here]] for the music video page.
==Live==
Thought Contagion, as the second single to be released off of new album, was performed live for the first time in 2018 at the Paris Cigale "by-request" show. It was received surprisingly positively by the crowd, dedicated fans who had traveled for miles to hear the band perform a setlist filled with songs such as Eternally Missed and Space Dementia live. Long-time fans and new fans tend to agree that Thought Contagion is a welcome addition to the live repertoire, a notable contrast to the controversial Dig Down, released the year prior.
[[Thought Contagion (live) | More here]]


== Lyrics ==
== Lyrics ==
{{lyrics
{{lyrics
|I strung out, falling from the big time
|
Strung out, falling from the big time
Welcome to the infinite black skies
Welcome to the infinite black skies
Brain cleansed, fractured identity
Brain cleansed, fractured identity
Fragments of scattered debris
Fragments and scattered debris


Thought Contagion
Thought Contagion
Line 46: Line 91:


Fall down, learn when to count it out
Fall down, learn when to count it out
Prop me up before I black out
Prop me up, before I black out
Withdraw before you're out of time
Withdraw before you're out of time
Clean slate and bury your crimes
Clean slate and buried war crimes


You've been bitten by
You've been bitten by
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A true believer
A true believer
You've been bitten by
You've been bitten by
Someone's forced beliefs
Someone's false beliefs


Thought Contagion
Thought Contagion
Line 63: Line 108:


They'll never do what you want them to
They'll never do what you want them to
Give it up and watch them break though
Give it up and watch it break though
It's too late for a revolution
It's too late for a revolution
Brace for the final solution
Brace for the final solution
Line 77: Line 122:
A true believer
A true believer
You've been bitten by
You've been bitten by
Someone's forced beliefs
Someone's false beliefs


Thought Contagion
Thought Contagion
Thought Contagion
Thought Contagion


I strung out, falling from the big time
Strung out, falling from the big time
Welcome to the infinite black skies
Welcome to the infinite black skies
It's too late for a revolution
It's too late for a revolution
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[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Unreleased music]]

Revision as of 13:55, 7 May 2021

Thought Contagion Promo
Muse song
Name Thought Contagion
Album/single Simulation Theory (7), Thought Contagion (1)
Length 3:26
Alternative titles Fury II
First live performance 13th November 2017 (bass riff), 24th February 2018 (full)
Latest live performance 15th October 2019
Recorded November 2017
Writer/composer Matthew Bellamy
Producer Muse, Rich Costey[1]
Chart position


Listen

Description

"Thought Contagion" is a single, released on 15th February 2018.

In an interview with Matt Wilkinson on Beats 1 Radio, Bellamy mentioned the idea behind the meaning came from a book by Richard Dawkins which suggested that thoughts are contagious and spread like a virus, or like genes.[2]

The song was inspired while watching American news stations in which some 'belief systems, whether they are true or false, are getting a lot of air time'. The song also deals with anxieties and feelings[2], the part of 'You’ve been bitten by a true believer' is about someone who believes things that are not true will sometimes have more power than you as Matt said: 'I think that’s really what the song is about. It’s about how other people’s false belief systems can infect your own and sometimes even affect your feelings.'[2]

Matt wrote the song towards the end of 2017, he came up with the bass line and used a theremin to create the lead melody, but is was until November 2017 when they started to record it when he thought that theremin melody would be a cool, anthemic sort of vocal part, Chris and Matt did about ten passes to create this sort of crowd effect on the vocal. The verse of the song, originally was more heavy-sounding than it is now, but they wanted to experiment with programming the verse and go for more of a slightly trap or 808 drum feel for the verses, which took the song in a bit of a different journey.[2]

Additional information

The leaked version of the song started with sounds of thunder, similar to The Globalist.

During an interview with KROQ DJ Stryker at the 2017 Almost Acoustic Christmas show, Matthew Bellamy was asked about plans for 2018. He revealed that Muse is currently mixing new track[3]. On Twitter, Matt was asked about release date. He expects to make video on January, then release it along with new song on early February[4]. He also described it as Fury II[5].

On February 6, 2018 All Access Music Group posted "10 Questions with... Adan Armandariz", National Director/ Rock Promotions for Q Prime. In his answer to Question 6: he states:

"Along with the aforementioned Three Days Grace action, we have new music from Muse, "Thought Contagion", that hits PD desks everywhere on February 15th." See his interview here.

On February 9, 2018, Muse & Warner Brothers Promotions posted an image for Thought Contagion (see above) that looks like a movie poster. The license plate on the car has the number 02.15. The bottom of the image shows a Rating of R and "A Dig Down Production". The lettering is done in the same style as Dig Down, with similar neon colors.

On February 15, 2018, the song was leaked earlier than intended on a YouTube live-stream [6]

Composition

Written in A minor, the song starts with a heavily chromatic bassline, followed by a Halloween-esque riff and loud, thumping percussion. The verse is backed by clap drums and an almost-rapped Bellamy vocal, before the chorus presents a call-and-response hook, with Fall Out Boy-style "whoa-oh's" answered by a quiet falsetto.

Musically, the chord progression is similar to In Your World, but the song is also compared to Fury with its Digitech Whammy guitar solo and anti-religious lyrics. It makes reference to the "Final Solution," which was Nazi Germany's name for the planned extermination of Jews during World War II.

Music Video

Click here for the music video page.

Live

Thought Contagion, as the second single to be released off of new album, was performed live for the first time in 2018 at the Paris Cigale "by-request" show. It was received surprisingly positively by the crowd, dedicated fans who had traveled for miles to hear the band perform a setlist filled with songs such as Eternally Missed and Space Dementia live. Long-time fans and new fans tend to agree that Thought Contagion is a welcome addition to the live repertoire, a notable contrast to the controversial Dig Down, released the year prior.

More here

Lyrics

Strung out, falling from the big time Welcome to the infinite black skies Brain cleansed, fractured identity Fragments and scattered debris

Thought Contagion Thought Contagion

Fall down, learn when to count it out Prop me up, before I black out Withdraw before you're out of time Clean slate and buried war crimes

You've been bitten by A true believer You've been bitten by Someone who's hungrier than you You've been bitten by A true believer You've been bitten by Someone's false beliefs

Thought Contagion Thought Contagion

They'll never do what you want them to Give it up and watch it break though It's too late for a revolution Brace for the final solution

Thought Contagion Thought Contagion

You've been bitten by A true believer You've been bitten by Someone who's hungrier than you You've been bitten by A true believer You've been bitten by Someone's false beliefs

Thought Contagion Thought Contagion

Strung out, falling from the big time Welcome to the infinite black skies It's too late for a revolution Brace for the final solution

References

  1. https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939966299509202944
  2. a b c d Jacqui Swift. (2018). VIRTUAL REALITY Muse frontman Matt Bellamy on finding the good side of technology via virtual reality — as he admits band ‘partied a**es off’ after second album. Retrieved 2018-11-12 from The Sun. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rolling Stone -Interview" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rolling Stone -Interview" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Rolling Stone -Interview" defined multiple times with different content
  3. http://kroq.radio.com/2017/12/09/muse-tease-rocking-and-heavy-new-song-fourth-contagion/
  4. https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939965867491672065
  5. https://twitter.com/MattBellamy/status/939965135573073920
  6. https://www.reddit.com/r/Muse/comments/7xmbf3/thought_contagion_streaming_now/